Richmond’s forgotten cycling history

If you’re into cycling, or forgotten Richmond history, my column in today’s T-D could be right up your alley. I wrote about a recently-released book, On Richmond’s Wheel, by cycling enthusiast Tom Houff. The local mail carrier spent a year researching the history of cycling in Richmond and found it to be surprisingly rich.

There are dozens of surprising facts, figures and stories in the book, which draws heavily from newspaper accounts. How about this one: Outdoor bike races at the now defunct Exposition Center used to draw 15,000 spectators. That’s more than the Diamond holds and as many as the president drew to Byrd Park yesterday.

With the cycling world championships on their way in 2015 and Richmond making strides to become more bike friendly, it’s amazing how little is known about our cycling past. Houff’s book goes a long way toward changing that. Check it out. It’s available at every bike shop in town.

About Andy Thompson

I was the Outdoors Columnist at the Times-Dispatch from 2007 to 2013, writing twice a week about mountain biking, fishing, hunting, paddling and much more. I live a 1/4 mile from the James River, close enough to see bald eagles soaring over my house on their way to find a meal. Pretty cool, eh?